Electric circuit testing device



Sept. 22, 1953 M, MOHYLOW5K| 2,653,297.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT TESTING DEVICE 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1951 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 22, 1953 UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT TESTING DEVICE Michal Mohylowski, Kansas City, Mo.

Application August 13, 1951, Serial No..241,591

Claims.

The present invention relates to electric circuit testing devices, and has for its object the provision `of a device capable oi' generating an electric spark as an indicator that the circuit is broken in a wire or any electric apparatus.

.A still further object of the present invention is .an electric testing device of the character indicated having in its assembly solenoid for the purposes of causing a gap in the Wire running through the device, whereby a spark may be engendered so as to provide a visual means indicating that the electric circuit tested is in a broken condition.

With the above general objects in view and others that will appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated 'in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing forming a part of this application, and in which like designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a side elevational view oi" the present device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view therethrough;

Fig. 3 is van enlarged cross sectional view on a transverse plane, the View having been taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a .longitudinal .cross sectional view through the electro-magnetic core, and a wire in a slidable relation therewith, constituting parts of the present invention; and

Fig. 5 Vis a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional View through the device with the wire terminals in an operative position, separated due to the action of the electromagnet, for establishing a gap therebetween and thereby for engenderin g electric spark.

Referring in detail to the present drawing there is shown therein a tapering handle I0, from `the free, narrower end of which probing pin IVI projects. Said pin II is integrally formed with wire I2. vSaid wire adjacent the free narrow end of said handle I0 is provided with threads I3 for engaging nut I4. The inner end of said wire I2 is connected with terminal I5, resting upon the inner end of said handle I0.

Integrally formed with said inner .end of handle I 0 is collar I6, which in conjunction with the body portion of handle I0 denes a socket into which one end of transparent tube I?, made oi glass or plastic, is receivable. Screws I8 passed 2 through said collar I6 engage said tube il and rigidly connect the same with handle I. Portion of said tube is coated as at Il", which renders the remaining portion of the tube transparent, through which portion electric spark hereinafter mentioned may be observed.

In a longitudinal alinement with wire I2 is rod I'Q of magnetic material, which by its lower end carries another terminal Zil. The upper end of said rod I9 enters sleeve 2l, which is in a frictional engagement with tubular core 22 made of magnetic material. Said sleeve 2| at its lower end is provided with an integrally formed iange 23 which remains in contact with ilange 24 integrally formed with the lower end of core 22.

Encompassing said rod I9 and interposed between said terminal 20 and flange 23 is coil spring 25, the ends of which are preferably soldered to said terminal 20 and ilange 23, respectively. Said coil spring 25 urges terminal 20 toward terminal It and maintains the same in a mutual contact.

The opposite end of said cor-e 22 connects with cylindrical block 26, which is positioned within the opposite end of tube I1, forming a plug there.. for, and is rigidly held therewith by means oi a plurality of .screws 21.

Either in a frictional `or threaded engagement in ka transverse relation with block v26 is metallic socket member 28, the adjacent portion of tube I'I being apertured to provide access to said member 28.

YCoil 29 is wound around said core 2'2. One end of said coil 129 is connected Aor soldered to flange 24, while the other end thereof is passed through said block `26 and is connected or soldered with said socket member 28.

Disengageably receivable within said socket member 2.8 is rod 30, which is provided with tubular shield 3l. Connecting with .said rod 30 is ilexible Wire 32, which, within handle 33 connects with probing pin 34.

To test an electric circuit in any given wire or electric apparatus, it is first necessary to insert rod 30 within socket member 28. Thereupon probing pins II .and 34 are driven into the wire tested or any given apparatus. If the tested wire or other electric apparatus is broken, in that event `the electric current rather than to pass through the tested wire or apparatus will pass through pins II Aand 34 and the parts of the device intermediately thereof. The electric circuit passing through the device will energize coil 2u and core 22 thereby causing, due to the electromagnetic action, the shifting of rod I9 within core 22 and collar 2I and against the tensioning action of coil spring 25. The shifting of rod I in an upward direction will necessarily lift ter minal 20 from terminal I5, separating the two and forming a gap therebetween. Due to they gap electric spark will flow from one terminal to the other. which observed through transparent portion of tube I'I will give a visual indicationv that the tested wire or other electric apparatus was broken intermediately of the probing pins I Iv and 34, thereby localizing the seat of trouble as being in the area intermediately of said probing' pins.

If on the other hand the tested area has noV broken wire or a short circuit the electric cir-- cuit will flow normally through the wire or electric apparatus which is tested, its intensity through the device being not of a sufficient degree to energize the solenoid 22. This in turn will cause terminals I5 and 20 to continue to bein contact, due to the normal action of coil spring: 25, thereby no gap therebetween will be estab-` lished and no spark will be engendered to give Visual indication of any trouble in the tested wireI or apparatus.

The detaohability and substitution of wire 321 of greater length may be dictated by the distancel at which probing pins II and 34 are to be placed upon the electric conduit or other electric apparatus to be tested.

While there is described herein a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

l. An electric circuit testing device comprising a tube, a handle attached to said tube and projecting therefrom in a mutually longitudinal relation, a probing pin extended through said handle in an axial relation, a terminal carried by theinner end of said probing pin and supported within said tube, an electro-magnetic core Within said tube supported by the opposite end thereof, a coil around said core, said core being in an axial relation with said tube, a rod of magnetic material extended within said core by one of its ends, a terminal carried by the other end of said rod, a coil spring interposed between said core and said last named terminal for normally maintaining the latter in contact with said rst named terminal, said coil and said coil spring being connected, and another probing pin, said latter pin being attachable to the said opposite end of said tube, said probing pins, terminals, coil, coil spring and rod being in a circuit, when an electric current is passed through said circuit said coil being adapted to energize said core for shifting said rod against the action of said coil spring for separating said terminals and for establishing a gap therebetween, an electric spark being engendered through said gap when the electric circuit is maintained.

2. An electric circuit testing device comprising a transparent non-conducting tube, a handle of non-conducting material attached to said tube and projecting therefrom in a mutually longitudinal relation, a probing pin extended through said handle in an axial relation, a terminal carried by the inner end of said probing pin and supported within said tube, an electro-magnetic core within said tube supported by the opposite end thereof, a coil around said core, said core being in an axial relation with said tube, a rod of magnetic material extended within said core by one of its ends, a terminal carried by the l4 other end of said rod, a coil spring interposed between said core and said last named terminal for normally maintaining the latter in contact with 'said first named terminal, said coil and said coil spring being connected, and another probing pin, `said latter pin being attachable to the said opposite end of said tube, said probing pins, terminals, coil, coil spring and rod being in a circuit, when an electric current is passed through said circuit said coil being adapted to energize said core for shifting said rod against the action of `said coil spring for separating said terminals and for establishing a gap therebetween, an electric spark being engendered through said gap when the electric circuit is maintained, the spark being visible through said tube.

3. An electric circuit testing device comprising a tube, a handle, said handle being provided with a socket at one end thereof, said tube being re-A ceivable by one of its ends within said socket and being rigidly attachable to said handle, a probing pin extended through said handle in an axial relation with said tube, a terminal carried by the inner end of said probing pin, said terminal resting upon the bottom of said socket, an Aelectro-magnetic core within said tube supported 'by the opposite end thereof, a coil around said core, said core being in an axial relation with said tube, a rod of magnetic material extended Within said core by one of its ends, a terminal carried by the other end of said rod, a coil spring interposed between said core and said last named terminal for normally maintaining the latter in contact with said first named terminal, said coil and said coil spring being connected, and another probing pin, said latter pin being atachable to said opposite end of said tube, said probing pins, terminals, coil, coil spring and rod being in a circuit, when an electric current is passed through said circuit said coil being adapted to energize said core for shifting said rod against the action of said coil spring for separating said terminals and for establishing a gap therebetween, an electric spark being engendered through said gap when the electric circuit is maintained.

4. An electric circuit testing device comprising a tube, a handle, said handle being provided with a socket at one end thereof, said tube being receivable by one of its ends within said socket and being rigidly attachable to said handle, a probing pin extended through said handle in an axial relation with said tube, a terminal carried by the inner end of said probing pin, said terminal resting upon the bottom of said socket, a plug within the opposite end of said tube, an electro-magnetic core within said tube supported by said plug, a coil around said core, said core being in an axial relation with said tube, a rod of magnetic material extended within said core by one of its ends, a terminal carried by the other end of said rod, a coil spring interposed between said core and said last named terminal for normally maintaining the latter in contact with said first named terminal, said coil and said coil spring being connected by their inner ends, another probing pin, said latter pin being attachable to said plug, and connecting means within said plug between the opposite end of said coil and said last named probing pin, both of said probing pins, terminals, coil, coil spring and rod being in a circuit, when an electric current is passed through said circuit said coil being adapted to energize said core for shifting said rod against the action of said coil spring for separating said terminals and for establishing a gap therebetween, an electric spark being engendered through said gap when the electric circuit is maintained.

5. An electric circuit testing device comprising a tube, a handle, said handle being attachable to one end of said tube in a longitudinal relation, a probing pin extended through said handle, a terminal carried by the inner end of said probing pin, said terminal resting upon the end of said handle and within said tube, a plug positioned within the opposite end of said tube in a rigid relation therewith, an electro-magnetic core within said tube supported by said plug, a coil around said core, a rod of magnetic material extended within said core by one of its ends, a terminal carried by the other end of said rod, a coil spring interposed between said core and said last named terminal for normally maintaining the latter in contact with said i'lrst named terminal, said coil and said coil spring being connected by their inner ends, a, socket member embedded within said plug, the opposite end of said coil being extended within said plug and connected with said socket member, and another probing pin, said latter probing pin being detachably receivable by one of its ends within said socket member, both of said probing pins, terminals, coil, coil spring, rod and socket member being in a circuit, when an electric current is passed through said circuit said coil being adapted to energize said core for shifting said rod against the action of said coil spring for sepa rating said terminals and for establishing a gap therebetween, an electric spark being engendered through said gap when the electric circuit is maintained.

MICHAL MOHYLOWSKI.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,865,583 Onken July 5, 1932 1,888,906 Colosoff Nov. 22, 1932 2,545,808 Du Pree Mar. 20, 1951 

